Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook was suspended for three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit to the head of David Backes of the St. Louis Blues in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Seabrook was ejected from the game and received a match penalty with under five minutes to go in the third period for his actions. The Blues ended up tying the game on the ensuing power play with 6.4 seconds to go in the final period, and ended up winning the game in overtime thanks to a Barret Jackman blast that squeaked through the pads of Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford.
According to the NHL, the ruling was given because Seabrook “drove up and into Backes, delivering a blow with his right shoulder that causes Backes to slam violently into the glass and boards.”
Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock defined Backes as “not good” during his press conference shortly after Game 2 and it is unsure if he will return for Game 3. Recently, Hitch also said that if Game 3 was on Sunday, Backes would not play. However, he would not comment on the captain’s status for tomorrow.
Seabrook will be eligible to return if the series extends to six games.
The suspension is the first of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the first for new director of player safety Stephane Quintal. Earlier Quintal handed Milan Lucic a $5000.00 fine for his spear on Red Wings Danny DeKeyser.
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